Calhoun, Alabama Public Records

Calhoun County is in north-east Alabama and it was founded in 1832, though it was originally called Benton County. The name was changed in 1858. The county did their own collecting of vital records to some degree but the state mandated it in 1908 so any Calhoun County public records you are looking for will most certainly exist after that date.

When you are doing research and need to have copies of any Calhoun County public records, you will have a few options as to where to go. Old material may be found in the state archives or even available through your local public library. But many records are not available to the public in this way, particularly birth records.

The state's vital records can be accessed from any county health department office, making it easy for you to put in an application. In Calhoun, the office is in Anniston and they are open normal business hours. If you take your completed application, you can usually get a certified copy of a Calhoun County public record in under an hour. Forms can be picked up there, or downloaded from the Alabama Department of Health website.

You can also send your request by mail to the main Vital Records office in Montgomery if that is more convenient. They typically have a week or 2 turnaround time if you go this route. The forms and fees will be the same either way.

Calhoun County Birth Records

You may encounter some difficulty if you are looking for Calhoun County birth records for your older ancestors as they are kept confidential for 125 years after the date of birth. So until that time, you are only allowed to request copies of your own birth certificate or one for an immediate family member. That would include your own children, parents, siblings or a current spouse. You will have to provide ID to prove your relationship if you are requesting records for these family members. The cost for a certified copy is currently $15 USD, and an extra $6 for any additional copies you order at the same time.

Calhoun County Death Records

The privacy restrictions on Calhoun County death records are only for 25 years, so you will have an easier time accessing records. Anything within that time-frame is still limited to immediate family members but you are permitted to order a copy of anyone's death records after 25 years have passed. Each copy will be $15 USD, just like a birth record. The forms will require you identify the person by full name, and provide their birth date along with the place and date of their death.

Calhoun County Marriage Records

Calhoun County marriage records are part of the public domain so you can make a request for any record without and restrictions. The cost is still $15 USD for each record ordered. There are marriage records going back to around 1936, and you can also get divorce records for divorces after 1950. These are ordered through the health department as well.

Calhoun County Criminal Records

The county doesn't maintain a database of Calhoun County criminal records so your application will go to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center instead. You can only access copies of your own criminal record, unless you are an employer who is doing a background check. Each copy is $25 USD.